Cool Place of the Day: Black Sail YHA, Cumbria

Every day, a new place to discover or explore from coolplaces.co.uk

Black Sail YHA Hostel, Cumbria

The YHA has transformed itself in recent years, with a number of modern hostels that boast boutique private rooms and well-equipped rooms for families. There are, however, some hostels that haven’t changed a bit, for example Ennerdale's majestically sited Black Sail hostel, to which generations of fell-walkers have made a grateful beeline and which still serves as one of the UK's most renowned youth hostels. High up in the western fells – a good couple of hours' walk from anywhere, and six miles from the nearest car park on Ennerdale Water – this is the perfect hiker’s refuge, offering basic and very welcome accommodation in the middle of some of the most dramatic walking country the UK has to offer - you’ll either arrive up the valley from Ennerdale Water or (the shorter but tougher route) over the tops from Honister Pass.

There are three bare bunkrooms (with a total of 16 beds), and you have to step outside to find the shower and toilet, but the always-open lounge is a real haven for passing hikers who often call in for a cuppa on their way up or down the mountains. The fire is lit most days and come the evening guests hunker down over a communal meal cooked by the wardens, as boots, clothes and anything else that got soaked that day gently steam by the stove. Ennerdale is also "Dark Sky" country, so bring binoculars for a spot of unrivalled star-gazing from right outside your mountain bunkroom.

Cool Places is a new website from the creators of Rough Guides and Cool Camping, suggesting the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop in Britain (coolplaces.co.uk)